Nishma Thoughts and Insights on the Parshah, Haftarah, and the Readings for Holidays.

Saturday, 3 February 2018

P. Mishpatim 1 - "Et Ishti" The Question

Originally published 1/27/11, 9:01 am.
I posted the following in the Leining discussion group:

See Shemot: 21:5 "et ishti."Rashi - [namely] the shifchah.
Rashi makes perfect sense because, after all, his regular wife goes out with him...
My query is about the term ISHTI. How is this applicable to a woman who is not his lawfully wedded wife, and is merely given over to produce children for the Adon?
The terminology ISHTI seems a bit strange because she never really belongs to this eved Ivri in the first place.
Any suggestions?